Asia Cup 2023

I don’t understand why we look for so many flaws: Razzak

Bangladesh national team selector Abdur Razzak blamed the media and supporters' criticism of Mohammad Naim for creating extra pressure on the side during a big tournament.

"Actually, how much everyone is thinking about the good of Bangladesh cricket is also something we need to watch out for. I am not singling anyone out here. A good situation or scenario doesn't build up," selector Abdur Razzak said while talking to the media at Sri Lanka today.

The Tigers managed to bounce back with a win against Afghanistan in the Group Stage of the Asia Cup but has so far failed to live up to the expectations in the Super Four stage, losing to both Pakistan and Sri Lanka. For Razzak, the criticism has been intense.

"I heard that Bangladesh came to become Asia Cup champions. When a team comes to a tournament, obviously there are hopes and expectations. But when every team comes with hopes, do they become champion? They don't.

"From our point of view, given our expectations, it would have been good if we had done a little better.

"Still Bangladesh team created a chance in Pakistan. Here, against Sri Lanka we hoped to win but somehow we missed out. I don't know why it happens but when results from one game is bad, it appears Bangladesh team have never done anything," he said.

Bangladesh have never won a tournament of big stature even as their ODI record in bilateral series have seen them convincingly qualify for the ODI World Cup in India, slated to be played next month.

"I don't know why it [criticism] happens but that's what the situation becomes. Our point of view is not like that. No problem if results are bad. Whatever initiatives would be taken to get better, would be tried.

"Ofcourse there will be criticism. You guys are here for criticism and will do that. But had there been understanding then there is not supposed to be criticism. If criticism is done without understanding then there is not much to say," he said when attention was drawn to Naim's form.

While the selectors' responsibility is to pick the squad, Razzak was baffled by the worries of supporters and their opinions.

"When someone doesn't click it becomes the selectors' fault, the president's fault or the coach and captain's fault. I don't understand why we look for so many flaws. It's alright, it doesn't matter. You have cleared that it's because he [Naim] is not up to the mark. Actually if he doesn't click then there is nothing to do. He will understand what to do," he said.

"Only we are discussing who will be playing as an opener or who is at number 7 or 8 or at number 10. That's what everyone is worried about. I haven't heard such a thing anywhere in the world. Wherever the team is required to play someone, that player will play in that position. Nothing more to say. Players are under pressure because of that. This is absolutely true. International match is already pressure so no need to create pressure. The extra pressure being created, it's better for everyone if that doesn't happen. Ofcourse media will create pressure, but it's better if it's done within with limitations. Better for the sport of the country," he added.

Comments

I don’t understand why we look for so many flaws: Razzak

Bangladesh national team selector Abdur Razzak blamed the media and supporters' criticism of Mohammad Naim for creating extra pressure on the side during a big tournament.

"Actually, how much everyone is thinking about the good of Bangladesh cricket is also something we need to watch out for. I am not singling anyone out here. A good situation or scenario doesn't build up," selector Abdur Razzak said while talking to the media at Sri Lanka today.

The Tigers managed to bounce back with a win against Afghanistan in the Group Stage of the Asia Cup but has so far failed to live up to the expectations in the Super Four stage, losing to both Pakistan and Sri Lanka. For Razzak, the criticism has been intense.

"I heard that Bangladesh came to become Asia Cup champions. When a team comes to a tournament, obviously there are hopes and expectations. But when every team comes with hopes, do they become champion? They don't.

"From our point of view, given our expectations, it would have been good if we had done a little better.

"Still Bangladesh team created a chance in Pakistan. Here, against Sri Lanka we hoped to win but somehow we missed out. I don't know why it happens but when results from one game is bad, it appears Bangladesh team have never done anything," he said.

Bangladesh have never won a tournament of big stature even as their ODI record in bilateral series have seen them convincingly qualify for the ODI World Cup in India, slated to be played next month.

"I don't know why it [criticism] happens but that's what the situation becomes. Our point of view is not like that. No problem if results are bad. Whatever initiatives would be taken to get better, would be tried.

"Ofcourse there will be criticism. You guys are here for criticism and will do that. But had there been understanding then there is not supposed to be criticism. If criticism is done without understanding then there is not much to say," he said when attention was drawn to Naim's form.

While the selectors' responsibility is to pick the squad, Razzak was baffled by the worries of supporters and their opinions.

"When someone doesn't click it becomes the selectors' fault, the president's fault or the coach and captain's fault. I don't understand why we look for so many flaws. It's alright, it doesn't matter. You have cleared that it's because he [Naim] is not up to the mark. Actually if he doesn't click then there is nothing to do. He will understand what to do," he said.

"Only we are discussing who will be playing as an opener or who is at number 7 or 8 or at number 10. That's what everyone is worried about. I haven't heard such a thing anywhere in the world. Wherever the team is required to play someone, that player will play in that position. Nothing more to say. Players are under pressure because of that. This is absolutely true. International match is already pressure so no need to create pressure. The extra pressure being created, it's better for everyone if that doesn't happen. Ofcourse media will create pressure, but it's better if it's done within with limitations. Better for the sport of the country," he added.

Comments